Garden Club minutes

The Dell Rapids Garden Club met June 20, 2017 at the home of Donna Smith, Flandreau. Seven members and two guests were in attendance.

Bruce Porisch, retired biology instructor from Flandreau High School, spoke on “Birds, Bees and Butterflies.” His slides highlighted flowers that attract our pollinators and a large variety of insects which are necessary for the pollination of our fruits, vegetables and flowers. By growing a variety of plant life and being careful about spraying pesticides, we protect our important insects. We saw a variety of wasps, bees, beetles, hover flies, butterflies and moths and other insects as well as the flowers that they love: dandelions, clover, milkweed, pasque flower, allium, peony and many summer annuals. He showed a variety of bee houses that you can buy and gave suggestions as to how to make some for your own garden. Some of his recommendations are to leave garden material uncut until spring, plant a variety of plant material including natives, and don’t use pesticides. In most cases the bees won’t bother us if we don’t bother them. To get good pictures he recommends being patient, take pictures on a cloudy day, in the morning or evening. The worst time is when the sun is up.

The meeting was called to order by President Thelma Busk. Jackie Ellefson announced that she will have fairy gardens for sale at the Dell Rapids Farmers Market. Yearbooks for 2017-18 were distributed with the theme being “Dirty Hands – Good Life.” As members of the South Dakota Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. (SDFGC); Rocky Mountain Region Garden Clubs (RMR) and National Garden Clubs, Inc.(NGC) we incorporate their themes into our plans for the year. The theme chosen by National Garden Clubs is “Plant America.” South Dakota’s theme is “Plant America – The Healing Power of Gardening.”

The Conservation Pledge which comes down through National Garden Clubs, Inc. was recited: “I pledge to protect and conserve the natural resources of the planet earth and promise to promote education so we may become caretakers of our air, water, forests, land and wildlife.”

Five members enjoyed viewing the yard of avid gardener Sue Nipe of Sioux Falls. Most amazing is that she has no grass!

Joyce Pfannenstein reported on the park and downtown planters. The Beautification Committee appreciates the spouses who have assisted with essential watering. Several planters are uneven, which has a bearing on the watering. It was suggested that perhaps the city could level them this fall.

Three books were purchased for the Dell Rapids Library in recognition of National Garden Week. Be sure to check out “Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials,” “Raised Bed Revolution,” “1000 Gardening Questions and Answers” and a new magazine “Garden Gate.” “Bee and Me” was purchased for the children’s department. Thelma and Sharon Johnson displayed them along with our scrapbook for the past year and other gardening items.

It was announced that a Busy Blessing activity would be held Thursday June 22 at the library. Lisa Carr will read the donated book “Bee and Me,” and club members will help the children make solar bee hive flower pots.

Fall bulbs will be available for sale at the Dell Raids Farmers Market in late September and/or early October.

During our question and answer session, we learned that solar-powered water fountains are available through Amazon, a disco ball may be seen lighting up the Pfannenstein yard, old bowling balls can be repurposed to garden art by gluing on glass stones and adding grout in between and that Cliff Avenue Greenhouse says the typical spike and geraniums are out for containers. Now gardeners are encouraged to use other plant materials for tall thrillers, short fillers and spillers.

Lengthy discussion took place concerning making the wildflower garden south of Dells a priority in 2017-18, especially since the Sioux Scenic trail will be extended to the overlook and passing the garden. Many ideas surfaced as we brain-stormed. Bridge and road construction was one event that kept us from working in the garden this spring.

Three books were donated to the garden club by Mona Reisig.

For roll call, members shared pictures of a favorite flower from their garden. They included a variegated peony, Black-eyed Susan Vine and pot of Calibrachoa; Bleeding Heart Vine, Spuria Iris, Lilies, Daylily and Clematis.

The July meeting is July 18 at Thelma Busk’s home. We will tour the garden of Wayne and Ruth Coffaa.

Anyone interested in visiting or joining the Dell Rapids Garden Club may contact any member or Sharon at 360-8173.